At last, my kitchen reno is finished. By all rights, it didn’t take that long (four months and two days – but who’s counting) and I realized it could have been a lot more painful than it was.

I have never been one to frivolously spend my money, and having the mentality of getting the biggest bang for my buck, definitely came in handy. There are many areas that one can save in a renovation and then other areas; I would say are better to spend.

As I sit in my kitchen admiring my latest efforts, I jot down a list of where I saved and where I spent. I see from the list that the “save” column is somewhat longer than the “spend” column. Even so, the shorter list adds up much more than the longer one – but then again, who’s counting.

Where to save:

1) Large framed artwork from the downstairs den worked perfectly for the new look in the kitchen.

2) After careful consideration, a wall was not taken out to create a more spacious kitchen and I worked within the existing walls. By redesigning the layout of the cupboards, the kitchen actually looks just as spacious without the removal of the wall.

3) The old floor was a poured stamped concrete. When moving the one counter, it left an empty hole in the floor that the stamped concrete had been poured around. I considered changing the floor to wood or tile, although I knew it would be costly. I called the company that had installed the original floor and we designed an inlay to cover up the space. We made the inlay larger than the ‘hole’ and it actually looks great and that it was meant to be that way.

4) Hardware for the cupboards. I choose two styles. Glass knobs for the drawers (more expensive, but fewer of them) and brushed nickel handles from our local big hardware store. They look great and were very inexpensive.

5) Stainless steel sink. Doesn’t have to be a name brand to be good. It is 18 gauge and a large industrial style that I love.

6) Pot lights are 4 inches recessed from the same big hardware. Inexpensive with a high-end look.

7) Large appliances were only a few years old and no reason to throw out (as one trades person suggested). Main point here is that you want to be happy with the appliance, or I would suggest replacing.

8) The 36-inch bar table was not being used as much as I would have liked in the old kitchen. The height was a little too high for my bar stools and placed in an area where people would not sit. Cutting table legs down a few inches, putting a piece of glass (bevelled) on top of the table for harder wearing use and placing in a more convenient place in the room; it is now used daily.

9) The old bar stools were now a good height for the table, but the colour (black) would not work with my new fresh look. They were very comfortable so I had them re-upholstered in a beautiful white leather (ok, faux leather) that now look great.

Where to spend:

1) Granite countertop and back splash. What can I say; it looks like a million bucks. (Almost was).

2) Chandelier over bar table. Ditto to above. This one item alone (although I do love my granite) sets the tone for the entire kitchen.

3) Cupboards. Since the layout did not change (see #2 above in ‘where to save’ list), I was able to cut corners a little here with the help of a very considerate finished carpenter. For the cupboards that were in good condition, I had only the doors changed. For the remainder of the kitchen, new cabinet.

– California born and raised, Karly Paul-Morris is owner of Karly’s Kreations, an interior design company that specializes to residential design and decor consulting throughout the Lower Mainland.